When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night he went out to them, walking on the lake. (Mark 6:47-48)
Have you ever wondered why Jesus walked on the water toward His disciples who were out in a boat that was being buffeted by high winds on the Sea of Galilee? The reason could not have been to calm the wind and the waves; Jesus could have done that from the shoreline with a thought or a word. I believe Jesus took that walk on the water simply to be in the presence of His disciples in the midst of their storm. Yes, by walking on the water, Jesus made it clear that He was no ordinary man, but God incarnate. But we must not miss what I believe is the great comfort in this gospel account for His disciples then and for you and me today: Jesus wants to be with us in every storm and every difficulty we are facing on this side of the grave.
Jesus walked out on the water toward His disciples, not to calm the winds that were roiling up the water, but to calm the storm that was roiling up inside of them. They were filled with the fear, and Jesus was teaching them how to replace fear with faith. Jesus was teaching them to see life from His perspective, not their own. As He drew near to the boat, Jesus said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid” (Mark 6:50). The Great I AM was in their presence, the same One who spoke to Moses from within the burning bush. Jesus was not there to still the storm around them, but to still the storm within them. And He is doing the same for each one of us every day of our lives.
I’ve said it here before, but it bears repeating: The disciples were in the center of God’s will. They were out on the water in obedience to God’s command to go to the other side. Their difficulty in making the crossing was not due to their disobedience. No, it came because of their obedience. God does not send trials to destroy us; He sends storms to deliver us from ourselves and to teach us to depend more and more on Him.
We must learn how to trust God’s painful providences in this life, even when we cannot trace their purposes. Never let the storms of life sink you! Take courage! Jesus is with you, He is for you, and He is in you. Let that truth set you free to serve Him with confidence and joy.
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 